Adjustable food covering support device

ABSTRACT

A device for creating a support for covering of items, in particular foodstuffs, on a container such as a tray or serving platter. The device enable the foodstuff to be covered with a protective covering, such as ling-wrap, that protects the food item whilst preventing the cling-wrap from damaging the food item via physical contact.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to an adjustable food covering support device and in particular, a device that can be used with any type of conventional dishware or storage containers.

BACKGROUND ART

Containers are often used to store or preserve a variety of foodstuffs and products. Alternatively, containers are typically used to transport foodstuffs.

Conventional containers are often rigid in structure and shape. For example, most containers include a storage compartment or enclosure in which food is placed for storage, and a lid to be secured on the storage compartment.

Alternatively, some containers include a rigid base portion on which food is placed and an enclosure or cover, which is positioned over the food and effectively covers the food.

The main issue with these conventional containers is that they have a defined shape and size or capacity. As such, a user is required to select and utilize a series of containers of differing shape, size or capacity, in order to accommodate and store various amounts of food. That is, a large container with a large storage capacity would be required to adequately store a large amount of food. Alternatively, a small container with a small storage capacity would be required to store a small amount of food.

Consequently, a user is required to have several containers of differing sizes readily available, as the volume of food required for storage will oftentimes vary significantly.

The disadvantage of utilizing lids or covers with some food storage containers, is that a user may be required to force down the lid or cover to adequately secure the lid or cover to the corresponding base. As a result, the lid or cover may come into contact with the food being stored and damage to the food.

Oftentimes, food will be presented on or stored using conventional dishware such as plates, bowls or serving dishes such as platters or trays. In order to store the food on the dishware on which the food is served, users will use a flexible material such as cling wrap or aluminium foil to cover or wrap around the food and the dishware.

One of the main disadvantages with using cling wrap or aluminium foil to cover such dishes, is that the cling wrap or foil being unsupported material, will likely come into contact with surface of the food on the dish. This can potentially damage the presentation of the food. In particular, if the food on the dish is of substantial volume and piled high on the dish, the cling wrap or foil will not only come into contact with surface of the food, but can potentially flatten the food depending on how tightly the cling wrap or foil is wrapped around the food and dish.

For example, storage of food products such as cakes often requires a great deal of care, as it is desirable to store the cake adequately whilst maintaining the presentation of the product. If a lid, cover, cling wrap or aluminium foil comes into contact with the cake, the surface and overall presentation of the product will be damaged.

Cling wrap and aluminium foil is often used to accommodate to the shape and size of the dish on which the food is served and to be stored, as there may not be a suitable lid or cover that can cover the food or dish.

However, again the main disadvantage in utilizing cling wrap or aluminium foil is that these materials are unsupported and will oftentimes come into contact with the surface of the food product being stored, thereby potentially damaging the presentation of the food.

Additionally, in coming into contact with the food product, portions of the food product will inevitably be transferred onto the lid, cover, cling wrap or aluminium foil. This is problematic in that it can create additional mess. Alternatively, the volume of food that was stored can be effected, with an amount of food now being lost on the lid, cover or wrapper and may be difficult to retrieve for use or consumption.

Whilst cling wrap or aluminium foil can be used to wrap or cover foods, these materials do not provide an effective physical barrier. These materials may be easily punctured or torn and as such the food stored within may still be physically damaged.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable food covering support device that when assembled and used in conjunction with food covering material such as cling wrap or aluminium foil, provides an effective means of storing foodstuffs and products. The device can also be conveniently adjusted as required to store various products of varying volumes, and used with various types of conventional dishware or containers.

Unlike conventional storage containers, the present invention is advantageous in that the device is adjustable. Given that the capacity of conventional containers is often defined, the present invention can be adjusted as desired to suitably and cover and store food products of varying volumes. The device provides a great deal of convenience to a user, as the user can effectively adjust the device as desired, without the need to utilize or have available several different containers of differing capacities.

The device can also be adjusted as needed to be used with different types of dishware such as plates, bowls, serving dishes, platters or trays, of varying shape and size.

Additionally, when assembled, the device provides an effective enclosure or cover for various food products. As such, when the device is then wrapped with cling wrap or aluminium foil, these materials do not come into contact with the food and thereby preventing or minimising physical damage to the food being stored. This is particularly advantageous in storing food products where the presentation of the product is required to be preserved and maintained.

In addition to providing a convenient means for storing food products, the device arrangement of the device also enables a user to quickly and easily assemble or disassemble the device as required.

When not in use, conventional containers, due to their various defined shapes and sizes, can be difficult to store away conveniently and often require a great deal of storage space. Advantageously, the present invention can be disassembled and arranged compactly for convenient storage.

The arrangement of the device also enables a user to quickly and effectively clean the device if necessary. By comparison, conventional containers can be difficult and cumbersome to clean due to their defined shape and size.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

The term “container” as used herein refers to a dish, plate, tray or other suitable sized and shaped container that is used to hold foodstuffs either in a domestic or industrial application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form of the invention, although this should not be seen as limiting in any way, there is proposed an adjustable food covering support device having:

-   -   a body, the body having at least a first and a second aperture         located thereon;     -   a least a first and a second support member;         wherein the first and second apertures of the body are shaped to         receive the first and second support members, the first and         second support members further characterized in that they are         releasably retained by the body and are adapted to engage a         portion of a container or dish such that when assembled the         device provides a cover or enclosure over the food to be stored.

Preferably, the first and second support members further characterized in having a longitudinal length with a plurality of ridges located thereon.

Preferably, the body is further characterized in that located proximal to the first and second apertures of the body are a plurality of teeth, such that in assembling the device, the first and second support members are inserted into and are received by the first and second apertures of the body, the teeth releasably mesh with or interengage with the plurality of ridges located thereon the longitudinal length first and second support members, wherein releasable meshing or interengagement of the teeth and ridges enables adjustment of the first and second support members with respect to the body.

Preferably, the first and second support members having a first end and a second end.

Preferably, the first end of the support members being shaped to be inserted into and received by the apertures of the body.

Preferably, the second end of the support members having a connection member, wherein the connection member is shaped to enable the device to be secured to a portion of a container or dish on which a food or product required for storage is located.

It will be readily appreciated that the connection member may be secured to the portion of a container by any connection means readily known in the art.

Preferably, the connection member is fixed to the second end of the support members.

In an alternative embodiment, the connection member may be co-operatively engaged to the second end of the support members, wherein the connection member is moveable or adjustable along a longitudinal length of the support member.

It is understood that the connection member may be co-operatively engaged to the support member by any means readily known within the art.

Preferably, the first aperture located on the body is substantially parallel or opposed with respect to the second aperture located on the body.

In a further form of the invention, there is a method of assembly of the device for storage of a food or product, the method including the steps of:

-   -   inserting a first end of a first support member into a first         aperture of the body, the first end of the first support member         being shaped to be inserted and received by the first aperture;     -   inserting a first end of a second support member into second         aperture of the body, the first end of the second support member         being shaped to be inserted and received by the second aperture;     -   adjusting the first and second support members to a desired         length, wherein the first and second support members are moved         further inwardly into the body or outwardly from the body as         necessary;     -   positioning the device over the food or product required for         storage, securing a connection member located at a second end of         the first support member to a portion of a container or dish in         or on which the food or product is located; and     -   securing a connection member located at the second end of the         second support member to a portion of the container;     -   wherein the device is assembled and secured over the food or         product required to be stored, the user may use a suitably         flexible food covering material to wrap around the assembled         device, such that the device prevents the material from coming         into direct contact with the food or product.

It is understood that the flexible food covering material that may be used in conjunction with the device is any flexible material readily known in the art.

Alternatively, the device may be disassembled or collapsed, by repeating the above steps in reverse order, wherein the disassembled form the device can be conveniently and compactly stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, it will now be described with respect to the preferred embodiment which shall be described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the body of the adjustable food covering support device;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the body of the adjustable food covering support device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of support members of the adjustable food covering support device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the connection member located at the second end of the first and second support members;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable food covering support device in the assembled form wherein the first and second support members are inserted into and retained by the body adjustable storage device;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled adjustable food covering support device in use with a plate for food storage;

FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the assembled adjustable food covering support device in use with a plate for food storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, where there is illustrated a perspective view of the device (1) and in particular the body (3) of the device (1). The body (3) having at least a first aperture (5 a) and at least a second aperture (7 a) located thereon the body (3). These apertures are shaped to receive a plurality of support members (13) (not shown here in FIG. 1).

The particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 has a plurality of apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) configured such that an aperture located on one side of the body (3) is parallel to a corresponding aperture on the opposite side of the body (3). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, aperture (5 a) is located opposite a corresponding aperture (5 b) on the body (3).

The apertures are shaped to receive a plurality of support members (13) (not shown in FIG. 1). In assembling the device (1), a user is required to insert a first end (15) of a support member (13) into an aperture (5 a), (7 a), (9 a), (11 a) located on the body (3).

In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, for example the user would insert an end of a support member (13) into an aperture (5 a) located on one side of the body (3). If the user desires to further secure or adjust the support member (13) with respect to the body (3), the user would proceed to further insert the first end (15) of the support member (13) through the corresponding parallel aperture (5 b), located on the other side of the body (3) opposite the first aperture (5 a).

Additionally, a further support member can be inserted into another aperture (7 a) located on the body (3). Again, this is achieved by inserting a first end (15) of a support member (13) into the aperture (7 a). If necessary securing or adjusting the support member (13) with respect to the body (3) by further inserting the first end (15) of the support member (13) through the corresponding parallel aperture (7 b), located on the other side of the body (3) opposite the first aperture (7 a).

It would be readily appreciated that the number of apertures located on the body (3) of the device (1) may vary from that illustrated in the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Further, the arrangement of the various number of apertures may be substantially opposed but not necessarily required to be parallel with respect to one another nor directly opposed.

Located proximal to the first and second apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) of the body (3), are a plurality of teeth (2) as illustrated in FIG. 2.

It will be readily appreciated that the plurality of teeth (2) may be located on either an upperside or a lowerside of the body (3). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the plurality of teeth (2) are located on an underside of the body (3).

Further, it is understood that a plurality of teeth (2) is located proximal to each aperture located thereon the body (3) of the device (1). For example, referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of teeth (2) is located on the body (3) proximal to all the apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) of the body (3).

The teeth (2) located proximal to the apertures releasably mesh with or interengage with the plurality of ridges (21) located thereon the support members being inserted into the body (3). The releasable meshing of the teeth (2) located on the body (3) and the ridges of the support members (13) enables positive adjustment of the support members with respect to the body (3). As such, a user can adjust the support members to the desired length for the desired application, by adjusting the support members inwardly or outwardly with respect to the body (3). The releasable meshing enables the user to make the necessary adjustments whilst retaining the support members to the body (3).

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a support member (13). The device (1) utilizes at least a first and a second support member (13).

It can be appreciated that a plurality of support members (13) can be used in the device (1). For example, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the user may utilize several support members (13) with respect to the body (3), as there are a plurality of apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) available for receiving several support members (13). The user may utilize a varied number of support members (13) as required to increase the overall strength of the assembled device (1).

The support member (13) as shown in FIG. 3, has a first end (15) and a second end (17). The first end (15) is shaped to be inserted into an aperture (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) located on the body (3). Additionally, the aperture (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) located on the body (3) is shaped to receive the first end (15) of the support member (13).

The second end (17) of the support member (13) having a connection member (19) located thereon.

It is appreciated that any connection member (19) known in the art can be located at the second end (15) of the support member (13). For example, the connection member may be a clip, clamp, jaw or similar. In this particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the connection member (19) is an alligator jaw set.

The connection member (19) as depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is integral to the second end (15) of the support member (13).

In an alternative embodiment, the connection member (19) may be fixed to the second end (15). The means of fixation to the second end (15) can be any means known in the art.

In a further embodiment, the connection member (19) may be co-operatively engaged to the second end (15) of the support member (13), wherein the connection member (19) is moveable or adjustable along a length of the support member (13). In adjusting the connection member (19) along the length of the support member (13) rather than adjusting the support member (13) with respect to the body (3) of the device (1), the user can still adjust the device (1) as necessary to the desired length and arrangement.

The support member (13) also has a plurality of ridges (21) located thereon. When a support member (13) is inserted into an aperture (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) located on the body (3), the plurality of ridges (21) of the support member (13) mesh with the plurality of teeth (2) located proximal to the apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) located on the body (3) of the device (1).

The meshing of the teeth (2) and the ridges (21) enable the support member (13) to be retained to the body (3) of the device (1). The meshing is releasable which enables convenient adjustment of the support member (13) with respect to the body (3).

FIG. 5 depicts the device (1) in an assembled form. In this particular embodiment, the body (3) is of the same configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein there are several apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) located thereon the body (3). It can be seen that several support members (13) are utilized in conjunction with the body (3).

In assembling the device as shown in FIG. 5, a user would firstly insert a first end (15) of a support member (13) into a first aperture (5 a) located thereon the body (3).

To further adjust the length of the support member (13) with respect to the body (3), the user moves the support member (13) further inwardly into the body (3) and can further insert the first end (15) of the support member (13) into a corresponding aperture located on the opposite side of the body (3). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the first end (15) is further inserted into and received by a second aperture (5 b) located opposite the first aperture (5 b). It can be seen that the first end (15) then extends outwardly from the body (3) through the second aperture (5 b).

The above steps can be repeated with several support members (13), as illustrated in FIG. 5. The support members (13) are releasably retained to the body (3) of the device (1) and can be adjusted to position the connection members (19) at a desired distance from the body (3).

In the alternative embodiment, the support members (13) would not be adjusted with respect to the body (3) of the device (1). The connection member (19) located at the second end (17) of the support member (13) would be co-operatively engaged to the second end (17) so as to allow the connection member (19) to be adjustable along the length of the support member (13). The user can then adjust the position of the connection member (19) along the length of the support member (13) with respect to the body (3) to achieve the desired position and length.

FIG. 6 depicts the device (1) in the assembled form when applied and secured to a conventional dish such as a plate (23) for food storage.

As illustrated, a plurality of support members (13) are retained by the body (3) of the device (1). The body (3) depicted in FIG. 6 is of the same configuration as that illustrated in FIG. 1. A plurality of support members (13) have been inserted into the body (3) via the plurality of apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) located thereon the body (3).

As shown, a first end (15) of a support member (13) is inserted into a first aperture (5 a) located on the body (3). Similarly, a first end (15) of an additional support member (13) is inserted into a second aperture (7 a) located on the body (3).

Additional support members (13) are inserted into the body (3) via additional apertures (9 a), (11 a) located on the body (3).

It can be further seen that the support members (13) have been adjusted such that the connection members (19) located at the second end (17) of the support members (13) is positioned at the desired distance and position away from the body (3). In adjusting the support members (13), the first end (13) of the support members (13) is further inserted into and received by a corresponding aperture (5 b) located on the body (3), which is positioned opposite the aperture (5 a), which first received the first end (15) of the support member (13).

The above process has been repeated with the additional support members (13), wherein the first end (15) of the support members (13) has been inserted into and received by the corresponding apertures (7 b), (9 b), (11 b).

In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the user requires the device to have ample storage capacity to cover the food that is located on the plate (23). As such, once the device (1) is assembled wherein the support members (13) are received by the apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) and are retained within the body (3), the user adjusts the support members (13) outwardly from the body (3) such that the connection members (19) are at the desired position and distance away from the body (3).

The user then orientates the support members (13) such that the connection members (19) can engage and be secured to a portion, such as at an edge, of the plate (23).

Once all the connection members (19) are secured to the plate (23), the user may then use a flexible food covering material such as cling wrap or aluminium foil, to wrap around the device to cover the food and the plate (23) or container. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, cling wrap (25) has been used to cover the device (1) and plate (23).

It can be seen that the assembled device (1) provides an effective cover or enclosure over the food and plate (23), whereby neither the device (1) or the cling wrap (25) comes into contact with the food on the plate (23). The device (1) provides structural support for the otherwise unsupported cling wrap (25).

The meshing of the teeth (2) of the body (3) and the ridges (21) of the support members (13) enables the user to adjust the device (1) as necessary to cover a variety of sized and shaped containers or dishware, or volumes of food, whilst o retaining the support members (13) to the body (3) of the device (1). As illustrated in FIG. 6, the dish to be covered is a bowl (27) with a unique shape. It can be seen that the support members (13) have been adjusted accordingly to accommodate the unique shape and dimensions of the bowl.

For example, the support members (13) extending horizontally across the short width of the bowl (27), have been adjusted inwardly toward the body (3) such that the connection members (19) are positioned at a shorter distance from the body (3). Conversely, the support members (13) extending vertically along the longer length of the bowl (27), have been adjusted outwardly from the body (3) such that the connection members (19) are positioned at a further distance away from the body (3).

The connection members (19) engage a portion of the bowl (27) and the device forms an effective cover over the bowl (27). Again, the user would then cover the assembled device (1) and bowl (27) with a suitable food wrap material. The device (1), in particular the support members (13) prevents the food wrap material from coming into contact with the food within the bowl (27).

An additional advantage of the device (1) not coming into contact with the food and also preventing the food wrap from coming into contact with the food, is that there is now ample capacity for food storage within the enclosure formed by the assembled device (1) and the bowl (27). If the user was to simply cover the bowl with a lid or food wrap alone, this would cover the mouth of the bowl (27) and press down on the food stored within, thereby limiting the volume of food that can be stored within the bowl (27).

To disassemble the device (1) the user would simply retract the support members (13) from the body (3), wherein the first end (15) of the support members (13) would be retracted from the apertures (5 a), (5 b), (7 a), (7 b), (9 a), (9 b), (11 a), (11 b) of the body (3).

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not limited to the details described herein so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable food covering support device having: a body, the body having at least a first and a second aperture located thereon; a least a first and a second support member; wherein the at least first and second apertures of the body are shaped to receive the first and second support members, and wherein the first and second support members are releasably retained by the body and are adapted to engage a portion of a container such that when assembled the device provides a cover or enclosure over the food to be stored.
 2. The adjustable food covering support device of claim 1, wherein the first and second support members have a longitudinal length with a plurality of ridges located thereon for engagement with the at least first and second apertures of the body.
 3. The adjustable food covering support device of claim 2, wherein located proximal to the first and second apertures of the body are a plurality of teeth and the at least first and second support members are inserted into and are received by the at least first and second apertures of the body, the teeth releasably mesh with the plurality of ridges located thereon the longitudinal length first and second support members, wherein releasable meshing of the teeth and ridges enables adjustment of the first and second support members with respect to the body.
 4. The adjustable food covering support device of claim 1, wherein the at least first and second support members have a first end and a second end.
 5. The adjustable food covering support device of claim 4, wherein the first end of the support members are shaped to be inserted into and received by the apertures of the body.
 6. The adjustable food covering support device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the support members have a connection member, wherein the connection member is shaped to releasably securely engage with a portion of a container.
 7. The adjustable food covering support device of claim 6, wherein the connection member is co-operatively engaged to the second end of the support members, wherein the connection member is adjustable along a longitudinal length of the support member.
 8. The adjustable food covering support device of claim 3, wherein the first aperture located on the body is substantially parallel or opposed with respect to the second aperture located on the body.
 9. A method of assembly of a device for storage of a food or product, the method including the steps of: inserting a first end of a first support member into a first aperture of the body, the first end of the first support member being shaped to be inserted and received by the first aperture; inserting a first end of a second support member into second aperture of the body, the first end of the second support member being shaped to be inserted and received by the second aperture; adjusting the first and second support members to a desired length, wherein the first and second support members are moved further inwardly into the body or outwardly from the body as necessary; positioning the device over the food or product required for storage, securing a connection member located at a second end of the first support member to a portion of a container or dish in or on which the food or product is located; and securing a connection member located at the second end of the second support member to a portion of the container; wherein the device is assembled and secured over the food or product required to be stored, the user may use a suitably flexible food covering material to wrap around the assembled device, such that the device prevents the material from coming into direct contact with the food or product. 